Do you want to join a team of dedicated public health professionals who are making a positive impact on health in America?

The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps offers rewarding careers for public health professionals and service-driven individuals who have a desire to protect our nation’s health and serve those most in need.

The USPHS Commissioned Corps is solely dedicated to protecting, promoting, and advancing America’s public health. If you’re a public health or health care professional, the USPHS Commissioned Corps offers you the opportunity to work in diverse assignments and serve in underserved and vulnerable communities, respond to public health or global emergencies, lead public health programs and policy development, and advance innovation and science.

U.S. Public Health Service Officers at Department of the Interior

The USPHS Commissioned Corps—one of the nation’s eight uniformed services—has partnered with the Department of the Interior (DOI) to advance and promote the health and safety of our visitors and employees as part of an agreement that started with the National Park Service more than 100 years ago. Learn more about the partnership between NPS and USPHS.

NPS is just one of DOI’s bureaus that place Public Health Service officers in high-impact, public health jobs. Commissioned Corps officers are eligible to serve at any of the DOI bureaus and offices.

Commissioned Corps officers support activities considered to be public health in nature, including work in environmental health, occupational health and safety programs, health sciences, nursing, medical care, veterinary medicine, air pollution prevention, environmental compliance, epidemiology, engineering, emergency and natural disaster response, and public health related program administration. They are also able to fill any other assignments involving a substantial component of disease control, public health protection, or public health promotion.

The USPHS Commissioned Corps Story: 'The Invisible Corps' Documentary

For over 220 years, Public Health Service Officers officers have served on the frontlines of America's health challenges—from fighting epidemics to responding to disasters—making crucial but often unseen contributions to our nation's wellbeing.

Learn more about the role of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps throughout history.

Why DOI Employees Should Consider the USPHS Commissioned Corps

A career with the USPHS Commissioned Corps allows for mobility, flexibility to specialize in different clinical settings, and the unique opportunity to serve in a variety of health service positions focused on practice, public health policy, and programs across the Federal government in the United States and globally. 

If you already work at DOI, you may be able to convert your position to a USPHS Commissioned Corps role or switch to a new position once you've joined the Corps. Reach out to the DOI Commissioned Corps liaison at hhs_liaison@nps.gov for more details. 

The USPHS Commissioned Corps offers:

• Competitive starting pay (based on the military pay scale) that increases with promotions and years of service
• 30 days of paid vacation each year —starting your first year
• Flexible leave options
• Health and dental care at no cost
• Tax-free housing and meal allowances
• Professional development
• 401-style retirement plan, life insurance, and survivor benefits
• Plus all of the benefits enjoyed by every DOI employee

If you’re a hiring official at DOI, there are many benefits to recruiting members of the USPHS Commissioned Corps. The open position must contain a substantial and real public health component. You can reach out to the DOI Commissioned Corps liaison at hhs_liaison@nps.gov to learn more, including details about how to recruit, hire, and manage PHS officers.